7 Views from the Top: Part 2 from NPCA Chairman Tom Engelman

This is the second half of my seven observations I’ve made so far as Chairman of the NPCA Board of Directors. If you missed the first four, I encourage you to go back and read them.

5. In Idaho I mentioned that Mike Loy, a 26-year employee of mine, was close to receiving the Master Precaster designation. I’m proud to say he earned it at this year’s Precast Show. Throughout the 10 years Mike worked on that endeavor, I watched how he was growing as a professional in my plant and it made me proud. As chairman, my eyes have been opened to the benefits of the program from a much broader perspective. It’s advancing employees throughout our industry and, as a result, advancing our industry.

6. All of the volunteer positions we fill are more critical than I ever imagined. I’ve held many roles and always hoped I was helping to accomplish good things, but I now realize just how important that work is to the association and the industry. So to everyone who has volunteered in the past or is currently in a position, I want to say Thank You. If you are thinking about becoming more involved, I encourage you to do so. It’s a decision you’ll be glad you made.

7. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I’d like to quickly address what I think are the keys to the future of our industry. It’s been a tough four-plus years for most of us, and I think the industry has changed more in that time span than it did in the prior 15-20 years. As precast concrete producers, we need to remain focused on quality, adaptation, and expanding our industry to new products. We all know the benefits of precast concrete, but it’s our job to get others to realize them as well.

I look forward to the final four-plus months of my tenure as chairman of this association and to the future of our industry, because I know good things are around the corner.
Tom Engelman
Board Chair, National Precast Concrete Association